KR20140124824A - Direction active projection - Google Patents

Abstract

A directionally active projection device including a flat display providing a pattern of information is described. The flat display includes optically transparent zones and zones for blocking light transmission. The directional active projection device also includes a lens arranged adjacent the flat display, and a plurality of light sources arranged as an array within the focal plane of the lens. A method for controlling directional active projection devices is also described.

Description

Directional Projection {DIRECTION ACTIVE PROJECTION}

Cross-Application for Related Application

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 595,261, filed February 6, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Field

The subject matter of this application relates to signage, and more particularly to active signs capable of projecting dynamic information in mobile views.

Highways and flat trails are full of signs that provide a variety of information. Such information may include street / exit names, distance / directions to destinations, traffic status signs, traffic safety rules (including speed limits, lane change, etc.), as well as possible advertisements or other information .

Some traffic signs, for example, use active display signs to warn traffic congestion and construction and accidents on highways, while the displayed information may be actively changed and / or updated. The displayed information may be pre-programmed and displayed without any feedback as to whether the vehicle is on the road to allow the driver to view and benefit from this information. This may result in unnecessary power consumption. Furthermore, such signs often project messages using Lambertian or other large solid illumination patterns that project vertically unnecessarily to the roadside, which may be used by drivers or passengers in these directions There is no need to look at. Additional power can be consumed by such non-identified light projection.

Therefore, there is a need for an active signaling system capable of projecting dynamically changeable information directed to vehicles approaching only when approaching vehicles are detected.

The difficulties and disadvantages associated with previously known systems are addressed by the following apparatuses and methods.

An active sign is disclosed, comprising active means for detecting the position of one or more approaching vehicles, planar means for displaying a fixed or changeable pattern based on the approaching vehicle, And means for actively directing the displayed pattern substantially in the direction of the vehicle as a basis.

In one aspect, the subject matter provides a planar display means for displaying a pattern of information, said planar means comprising transparent regions. The projection device also includes focusing means arranged adjacent to the flat display means. And the projection device includes a plurality of light source means arranged as an array on the focal plane of the focusing means.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling a directionally active light projection apparatus. The method includes initializing a plurality of light sources located in a focal plane of the lens to an OFF state. The method also includes detecting an incident level of light using a sensor associated with each light source. The method further includes determining whether the incident light level exceeds a threshold level using circuitry coupling each light source to a corresponding associated sensor. The method further includes turning on the light source to illuminate the lens when the incident light level detected by the associated sensor exceeds a threshold level. The method also includes turning off the light source if the incident light level detected by the associated sensor does not exceed a threshold level.

In another aspect, the subject matter provides a directionally active projection device that includes a planar display that provides a pattern of information. The flat panel display includes zones of light transparency and zones for blocking light transmission. The apparatus also includes a lens arranged adjacent to the flat display. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of light sources arranged as an array on the focal plane of the lens.

As can be realized, the subject matter described herein may be different and different embodiments, and several details of several of its aspects may be modified in various aspects without departing from the spirit claimed. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a generic view of possible embodiments of a sign configured to project information towards a moving vehicle in accordance with the disclosure,
Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of an apparatus for directing information on an axial line from a sign according to the disclosure,
Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of an apparatus for directing off-axis information from a sign according to the disclosure,
Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of an apparatus for directing off-axis information from a sign according to the disclosure,
Figure 5 illustrates one aspect of a method of directing information from one sign to another in accordance with the disclosure,
6 illustrates an example of programmable sign lighting according to light intensity entering from one or more approaching vehicles in accordance with the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The detailed description includes specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details.

The subject matter of the present application is to provide a planar display for displaying a pattern of information or information, a directionally active projection device comprising one or more focusing elements, and one or more light sources, do. In certain versions, the light sources are arranged as an array on the focal plane of the focusing element (s).

In general, the flat panel display includes transparent areas, and in particular, light transmitting areas and areas for blocking light transmission. The flat panel display may include a static display, a variable spatial light modulator, or combinations thereof. Spatial light modulators may include versions of liquid crystal displays, and in particular liquid crystal display light valves. The focusing components or lenses may be provided in various forms, such as a flat Fresnel lens, a planar brook lens (or a thin lens of a planar block), and combinations thereof.

The focusing components or lenses may be provided in various forms, such as a planar Fresnel lens, a plano-convex lens (or a thin plano-convex lens), or a combination thereof.

The light source (s) may include one or more light emitting devices.

The projection devices may also include additional components such as (but not limited to) one or more optical sensors or photodetectors, one or more optical diffusers, and special circuits or functional components as described herein Lt; / RTI >

The light sensors or detectors are generally arranged according to the light source (s). Certain versions of optical sensors or detectors are electrically coupled or electrically coupled to one or more of the light sources. In particular versions, the optical sensors or detectors are positioned or spaced apart by a specified amount from the focal plane of the focusing elements or lenses. In other versions of the subject matter herein, the light source (s) and the optical sensor (s) or detector (s) are provided with the same or a common component, either together or integrally, the same ". The optical sensors or detectors may be configured to detect the level of light transmitted through the focusing elements or lenses. In particular embodiments, the light source (s) or detector (s) are coupled to a circuit configured to determine if the level of detected light exceeds a threshold level. More specifically, the circuit may be configured to power ON the light source (s) according to a specified response to the photosensor (s) / detector (s) so that the level of detected light And illuminates the flat display and focusing components or lenses when the threshold level is exceeded. The circuit may also be configured to turn off the light source (s) in an off or low intensity state in response to a specific response to the light source (s) / detector (s) if the level of sensed light does not exceed a threshold level .

If used, one or more optical diffusers may be arranged with a flat display, a focusing element (s), or a collection of lenses and / or light source (s).

The subject matter also provides methods for controlling direction active light projection devices. Such methods generally include initializing one or more light sources generally located in the focal plane of the lens to an off state. The methods also include detecting an incident level of light by a sensor associated with each light source. The methods additionally comprise using a circuit coupling each light source to a corresponding associated sensor to determine if the incident light level exceeds a threshold level. The method also includes turning on the light source to illuminate the lens when the incident light level detected by the associated sensor exceeds a threshold level and when the incident light level detected by the associated sensor does not exceed the threshold level And turning off the light source.

These and other aspects are further described below.

The general features of the disclosed apparatus are described with respect to FIG. The vehicle 140 may be approaching the road sign 1. The presence of the vehicle may be detected by the headlights 142 of the vehicle illuminating the road or alternatively by some form of electromagnetic radiation, infrared, radio frequency, radar, microwaves, visible light, May be known by a beacon 144 emitting light. In the various aspects described below, the sensor system as a physically distinct and detachable component of the sign 100 can detect the position and distance of the vehicle 140. Alternatively, the sensor system may be embedded in the road sign 100 as described below.

In an embodiment of the disclosure illustrated in FIG. 2, the road sign 100 includes a mask 110. The mask 110 may be, for example, a passive film transparency that includes directions, distance information, and graphics. The transparency is representative of a plurality of road signs and can provide information with uniform background color and contrast illumination. For example, if the backlighting is white, the film transparency may include a dark background with white characters. The film transparency may include color zones so that the characters may appear in various colors when backlit by white light. Alternatively, the film transparent background can be transparent, providing a white background, characters can be dark and / or colors can be embedded.

Alternatively, the mask 110 may be an active spatial light modulator, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. In such a case, the sign may be changed dynamically to provide change information, such as traffic conditions and risk information. If the backlighting is white, the mask 110 may provide a colored transparent and dark and / or light contrasting background.

A lens 105 may be included adjacent to the mask 110. The lens 105 may preferably be a Fresnel type lens, which is a thin sheet type lens well known in the art. Alternatively, the lens 105 may be a thin lens, preferably a plano-convex lens. With reference to the Fresnel-type lens, the lens 105 can be disposed in close proximity to the mask 11 and adjacent thereto. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the lens 105 and the mask can be bonded together by, for example, optical cement, so that the refractive properties embossed on one side of the lens 105 are unaffected, May be arranged on the surface of the lens where the mask does not contact. In the case of plano-convex lenses, the mask can preferably be bonded to the flat sides of the plano-convex lens. The lens 105 has an optical axis 106 perpendicular to the plane of the lens 105 and passing through the center of the lens 105. The lens is characterized by the focal length 107 and the parallel rays passing through the lens 105 parallel to the lens axis 106 are focused on the focal plane 107 at a distance of the focal length 107 from the plane of the lens 105 0.0 > 109 < / RTI > Conversely, light generated as a point source at the focal point 109 on the lens axis 106 will emanate from the far side of the lens 105 as rays that are collimated parallel to the optical axis 106.

The light source 120 may be a single-component light emitter such as a high-brightness light emitting diode (LED) or an equivalent light emitter. In this case, the aimed rays will be projected close to the point source. Alternatively, the light source may be a cluster of light emitters, in which case the projected rays will only be approximated and have a divergence angle determined by known optical laws.

By placing the mask 110 between the lens 105 and the axial light source 120 or by placing the lens 105 between the mask 110 and the axial light source 120, The same effect of delivering a beam of substantially parallel rays filtered by the light source will be achieved.

The road sign 100 may further have one or more light sources 120 'arranged in the focal plane 104 offset from the optical axis, as illustrated in FIG. When the light source 120 'illuminates the mask 110 and the lens 105 while the axial light source 120 is off, the beam of rays is directed through a lens (not shown) directed at an angle to the optical axis 106 105 and the far side of the mask 110 and will now be parallel to the projected beam direction 106 '. The projected beam filtered by the mask 110 may then be steered and directed as a substantially collimated beam and the light sources 120 and 120 'are directed to the mask 110 and the lens 105 Turned on to illuminate. The road sign 100 will then appear illuminated by a viewer located in the collimated beam of projected light.

A plurality of beams can be formed to simultaneously project an image of the mask 110 in multiple directions by turning on a plurality of light sources 120, 120 ', and then the road sign is illuminated best by a plurality of viewers It will be readily appreciated that alternatively, each viewer is positioned within one of the plurality of collimated beams of the projected mask. By arranging the plurality of light sources 120, 120 'in the focal plane 104 of the road sign 100 in an array, the image on the mask 110 can be projected in a plurality of directions, (120, 120 ') are turned on to illuminate the mask (110) and the lens (105).

Figure 4 illustrates a vehicle proximity to a road sign 100 (as shown in Figure 1), which is detected by one or more sensor (s) 130 adjacent to a light source 120 'in a further aspect of the disclosure 140 or a beam from the headlight 142. The signal lights 144, The light intensity from the traffic lights or headlights may be constant or may be temporarily adjusted to convey information from the vehicle to the signage. For example, information about facilities, e.g., premises, restaurants, hotels, attractions, etc., may be communicated to the vehicle so that the occupants of the vehicle can make a decision as to whether or not they will stop at a particular exit . The delivered information may also include detailed conditions regarding road conditions, weather alerts, construction closures, or may provide alternative route suggestions to avoid congestion in advance. The information delivered to the vehicle may also be used to market specialties or services, such as those relating to a particular advertising campaign sponsored by the seller of the vehicle or specialty product or service, such as vehicle inspections. The occupants of the vehicle can also be given the option of selecting the options contained in the delivered information and then more specific information can be provided to the occupants based on the selection of a particular part of the information or the vehicle's onboard navigation or entertainment system To a web site that may be accessible via the Internet.

At a sufficient distance from the road sign, light from the signal lamp 144 or the headlight 142 may appear as a collimated or narrowly branched beam. Thus, the rays approaching the road sign 100 are approximately parallel. Consequently, the light from the vehicle 140 will be focused on a focal plane at a predetermined position that can escape the optical axis 106 of the lens 105. The sensors 130 may be disposed adjacent each of their respective light sources 120, 120 'at the focal plane 104. In addition, each pair of sensors 130 and light sources 120, 120 'are electrically coupled such that light sources 120, 120' only detect an amount of light intensity above the threshold at which the sensor operates Turn on. As such, only when these corresponding sensors 130 detect a signal from a vehicle approaching by signal lamp 144 or headlight 142, these light sources 120 and 120 ' . As each of the vehicles moves, a different set of light source / sensor pairs can be activated and the projected mask images follow the vehicle 140. Thus, the control of the road sign image direction projection to a plurality of vehicles is height-distributed and processed with a simple level of processing. That is, the light output of each light source 120, 120 'is controlled by the light input sensed by the associated sensor 130. Many vehicles are automatically tracked and illuminated.

It will be appreciated that the road sign 100 may be dark and does not consume more than any energy required to operate the required sensor circuit to turn on the light sources 120, 120 '. Also, the light is effectively directed towards vehicles with signal lights 144 or headlights 142 to reduce the total energy demand for illumination.

The signal lamp 140 is embedded in the road sign 100 or detected by the associated sensors. The road sign 100 may further include a light source for illuminating the included light transmission mask and lenses. The light source may include one or more light emitting devices, which may be turned on independently or collectively to illuminate the light transmitting mask and the lens. Light emitted from these devices may be constant or may be temporarily adjusted to convey information from the road sign to the vehicle. The transmitted information can be converted into an audible signal so that the driver or passengers of the vehicle can read the signs contained in the road sign or inform them of the signs. Vehicle occupants can obtain additional audible details when selected, provided the supplemental audible detail situation is presented, allowing the users to hear which options or entertainment may be available in the vicinity. The information contained in the light source is also searchable through smart devices such as smart phones, tablets, and the like.

The lens may be a single lens or an array of lenses, wherein the optical axis may be defined for the lens or for each lens center. The optical axis of each lens may preferably be parallel to all other lenses. The lens may be a singlet or a Fresnel-type lens as an array of Fresnel lenses. If an array of lenses is used, source arrays with corresponding arrays of sources or their associated electronics can be used. The mask may be a passive light transmission mask with light transmission zones and opaque regions of various colors to provide information to the display that may include letters and / or graphics. The mask can be an active spatial light modulator, such as a liquid crystal display, in which case the image displayed on the mask can be changed under the control of the image display controller. In certain embodiments, the spatial light modulator comprises one or more liquid crystal light valves. The mask can also be in the form of a fixed display.

In operation, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the method 500 may begin without power to provide illumination, i.e., with light source 120 set to OFF (process block 510) start with a blurred background level of power considered appropriate for the. In process block 520, sensor 130 may receive light energy arriving from vehicle signal lamp 144 or headlight 142. At process block 530, the circuit coupling with light source 120 and sensor 130 tests the sensed signal light intensity for a predetermined threshold value required to activate the ON state for the light source. At decision block 540, if the sensed intensity does not exceed the threshold, the determination is NO and the method continues at process block 510. [ If the signal light intensity exceeds the threshold value, the light source is set to ON in process block 550 to illuminate lens 105 and mask 110, and the method continues to process block 530 where the signal light 144 is tested for a change in the signal strength limit.

In another aspect of the disclosure, instead of implementing the simple binary function described above, a more complex light response function can be implemented regarding the amount of incoming light from the approaching vehicles with respect to the amount of signpost illumination light exiting. For example, the function shown in Fig. 6 can be implemented to change the sign brightness as a function of the light intensity arriving from the approaching vehicles. Other such functions can be visualized for various purposes. For example, the exit brightness may alternatively be dim and lighter as the vehicle approaches (and thus the incoming light becomes brighter). In this way, the adjustment of the illumination can be used, for example, for preliminary signal notification of potentially dangerous situations.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the light from each LED is preferably capable of uniformly illuminating the Fresnel lens / mask so that the sign appears uniformly illuminated. This can be implemented, for example, with a suitable lens in front of each LED, or a continuous lens array sheet in front of the LED array.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, it may be desirable for the sign lighting to change smoothly as the source of the traffic light moves. Also, if all of the LEDs are illuminated, it may be desirable to have a smooth angular distribution of light emerging from the signpost without gaps. Advantageously, in this case, it is desirable to concentrate the parallel light entering the spot size on the sensor plane equal to or exceeding the sensor spacing (or LED spacing). This can be accomplished by a combination of Fresnel lens properties, properties of the graphics film (mask), positioning of the LED array slightly off the focal plane, and possible insertion of the diffusion film in the optical path region.

In another aspect of the disclosure, one or more LEDs of the light source may also function as optical sensors using circuits for biasing the LED, forward biasing for light emission, and switching the reverse biasing voltage for light sensing. Techniques such as (but not limited to) pulse width modulation (PWM) may be employed to set the illumination level dependent on the light sensed in the reverse bias detection mode.

Many other advantages will become apparent from additional applications and improvements in this technique.

It should be understood that the particular order or scheme of steps in the disclosed methods is exemplary of typical processes. It is understood that, based on design preferences, certain orders or systems in the methods can be rearranged. The accompanying method claims the elements of the various steps in the same order and is not meant to be limited to the particular order or scheme that exists unless specifically quoted herein.

The previous description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to the foregoing or other aspects. Accordingly, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, and singular references to one element are to be construed as "one and only one and only one ", but rather" one or more ". Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "some" refers to one or more than one. A phrase designating a list of "at least one of " items refers to any combination of these items, including single elements. As an example, "at least one of: a, b, or c" b; c: a and b; a and c; b and c; And a, b, and c. "Structural and functional equivalents of elements of the various aspects set forth herein, whether known to those skilled in the art or to be known in the art, are intended to be encompassed by the claims . Moreover, what is not disclosed herein is intended to be provided to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. &Quot; Means for " , Or in the case of a method claim, an element is not quoted using "for step", 35 USC §112, claim element according to sixth paragraph .

Claims (32)

Direction active projection device,
A flat display means for displaying a pattern of information, said flat display comprising transparent areas;
Focusing means arranged adjacent to the flat display means; And
And a plurality of light source means arranged as an array within a focal plane of the focusing means.
Direction active projection device.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the focusing means comprises at least one of a planar Fresnel lens and a plano-convex lens,
Direction active projection device.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the flat display means comprises a planar transparency comprising light transmission zones and zones for blocking light transmission.
Direction active projection device.
The method of claim 3,
Wherein the flat display means comprises static display means,
Direction active projection device.
The method of claim 3,
Wherein the flat display means comprises a variable spatial light modulator,
Direction active projection device.
6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the spatial light modulator comprises a liquid crystal display,
Direction active projection device.
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Wherein the plurality of light source means comprises one or two or more light emitting devices,
Direction active projection device.
8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Further comprising diffusing means in which said flat display means, said focusing means and said plurality of light source means are arranged,
Direction active projection device.
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Further comprising light sensing means in which each light source means is arranged,
Direction active projection device.
10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the light sensing means is electrically coupled to one or more of the light source means,
Direction active projection device.
11. The method according to claim 9 or 10,
Said light sensing means being positioned farther away from the focal plane of said focusing means by a certain amount,
Direction active projection device.
12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
Wherein the light source and the light sensing means are the same,
Direction active projection device.
13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
Wherein the light sensing means is configured to detect a level of light transmitted through the focusing means,
Direction active projection device.
14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13,
Wherein the light sensing means is coupled to a circuit configured to determine when the level of the detected light exceeds a threshold level.
Direction active projection device.
15. The method of claim 14,
The circuit is configured to provide power to the light source means according to a specific response to the light sensing means to illuminate the flat display means and the focusing means when the level of the detected light exceeds the threshold level, Configured,
Direction active projection device.
15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the circuit is configured to turn off the light source means in response to a specific response to the light sensing means and to be in a low intensity state when the level of the detected light does not exceed the threshold level,
Direction active projection device.
A method of controlling an active light projection apparatus comprising:
Initializing a plurality of light sources located in a focal plane of the lens to an OFF state;
Detecting an incident level of light using a sensor associated with each light source;
Using a circuit coupling each light source to a corresponding associated sensor to determine if the incident light level exceeds a threshold level;
Turning the light source on to illuminate the lens if the incident light level detected by the associated sensor exceeds a threshold level; And
And turning off the light source if the incident light level detected by the associated sensor does not exceed a threshold level.
Of controlling directional active light projection device
18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the light source and the sensor are the same,
A method for controlling an active light projection device.
Direction active projection device,
A flat panel display providing a pattern of information, the flat panel display comprising: a planar display, comprising optically transparent zones and zones for blocking light transmission;
A lens arranged adjacent to the flat display; And
A plurality of light sources arranged as an array within the focal plane of the lens,
Direction active projection device.
20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the lens comprises at least one of a planar Fresnel lens and a plano-convex lens,
Direction active projection device.
21. The method according to claim 19 or 20,
Wherein the flat display comprises a static display,
Direction active projection device.
21. The method according to claim 19 or 20,
The flat display comprising a variable spatial light modulator,
Direction active projection device.
23. The method of claim 22,
Wherein the spatial light modulator comprises a liquid crystal display light valve,
Direction active projection device.
24. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 23,
Each of the light sources including one or more light emitting devices,
Direction active projection device.
25. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 24,
Further comprising an optical diffuser in which the flat display, the lens, and the plurality of light sources are arranged,
Direction active projection device.
26. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 25,
Further comprising a photodetector in which respective light sources are arranged and electrically coupled,
Direction active projection device.
27. The method of claim 26,
The photodetector is positioned a distance away from the focal plane of the lens by a specific amount,
Direction active projection device.
28. The method of claim 26 or 27,
Wherein the light source and the photodetector are the same,
Direction active projection device.
29. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 28,
Wherein the photodetector is configured to detect a level of a lens transmitted through the lens,
Direction active projection device.
30. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 29,
Wherein the photodetector is coupled to a circuit configured to determine when the level of the detected light exceeds a limit means,
Direction active projection device.
31. The method of claim 30,
The circuit is configured to be in an ON state by powering the light sources according to a specific response to the photodetector to illuminate the flat display and the lens when the level of detected light exceeds the threshold level ,
Direction active projection device.
31. The method of claim 30,
The circuit being configured to turn off the light source according to a specific response to the photodetector and to turn it off or to a low intensity state if the level of detected light does not exceed the threshold level.
Direction active projection device.

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